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The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales

Get an insider's take on the real Great Britain: where to go, where to avoid, and what are the must-see sites you've never heard of.
The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 301.
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Rated 5 out of 5 by from VERY informative! Great speaker We completed this course during the pandemic. We pretended we were traveling! Dr. Allitt is excellent as with ALL his courses. Easy to understand and enjoys his subject. Highly recommend.
Date published: 2024-03-05
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Wonderful tour of England, Scotland and Wales I bought this after I had been to England several times and Wales once. Am getting ready to tour Scotland in the summer and thought I would look at it again to see what the professor had to say about Scotland. I enjoyed it both times I viewed it and thought that his personal experiences touring these areas added so much to the course. I would recommend this to anyone who is either going to these three countries or would like to visit via their armchair. It is a most educational as well as delightful experience.
Date published: 2024-01-16
Rated 1 out of 5 by from Watched most of the first episode ... ... but could not stomach any more ... Historic houses which give much pleasure but show the inequality in Britain ... but failed to mention most were paid for by the slave trade The empire on which the sun never sets ... seeing this as a matter of pride is disgusting - the British Empire (as with other countries) is a history of exploitation and violence The final straw was "the high quality of debate" in parliament ... This was made in 2018 - an academic should know better. This is not a course but an extended advert for tourism.
Date published: 2023-12-20
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Outstanding! We are a long-time Great Courses consumer! The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales rank as the very best, the most enjoyable and informative Great Courses we have experienced! Highly recommended!
Date published: 2023-11-26
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Most enjoyable and informative course! Purchased the course because of Professor Allittt and loved it.
Date published: 2023-08-02
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Fine for living room travel Enjoyed it but it wasn't great for planning a trip to Britain An overall getting around section and then do history and local things might have helped.
Date published: 2023-07-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great blend of history and travelogue I have always wanted to visit Great Britain, now I really want to. Obviously there is a lot more to Great Britain than Big Ben and the Changing of the Guard. Professor Allitt takes us to place perhaps a little less known, but every bit as interesting. I have watch a few other courses by Professor Allitt. He always hits a home run. He is very knowledgeable, organizes the material in an accessible manner, and is a great presenter. If you are going to visit England or just have a fantasy of doing so, this course is well worth your time.
Date published: 2023-07-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A Great Overview Fell in love with British history twenty years ago with my first visit. This series provided the breadth and depth to fill in the gaps that I just could not find elsewhere. Between this and one other audio course on British history, I can follow much of the historical discussion.
Date published: 2023-07-11
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Overview

No matter what you are hoping to discover in this magnificent region, The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales is the perfect guide. Taught by acclaimed Professor Patrick Allitt, a British-born scholar who teaches at Emory University, these 36 engrossing lectures give you an insider's take on traveling through Great Britain.

About

Patrick N. Allitt

Nostalgia is the enemy of history. 'Downton Abbey' is great fun but it's not history. If seeing or reading something historical makes you feel warm and cosy, it's probably very inaccurate.

INSTITUTION

Emory University

Dr. Patrick N. Allitt is Cahoon Family Professor of American History at Emory University, where he has taught since 1988. The holder of a doctorate in history from the University of California, Berkeley, Professor Allitt-an Oxford University graduate-has also taught American religious history at Harvard Divinity School, where he was a Henry Luce Postdoctoral Fellow. He was the Director of Emory College's Center for Teaching and Curriculum from 2004 to 2009, where he looked for ways to improve teaching. In this critical administrative position, he led workshops on a wide variety of teaching-related problems, visited dozens of other professors' classes, and provided one-on-one consultation to teachers to help them overcome particular pedagogical problems. Professor Allitt was honored with Emory's Excellence in Teaching Award and in 2000 was appointed to the N.E.H./Arthur Blank Professorship of Teaching in the Humanities. A widely published and award-winning author, Professor Allitt has written several books, including The Conservatives: Ideas and Personalities throughout American History; Catholic Intellectuals and Conservative Politics in America, 1950-1985; Catholic Converts: British and American Intellectuals Turn to Rome; and Religion in America since 1945: A History. He is also author of I'm the Teacher, You're the Student: A Semester in the University Classroom, a memoir about one semester in his life as a university professor. In addition, he is the editor of Major Problems in American Religious History. He has written numerous articles and reviews for academic and popular journals, including The New York Times Book Review.

By This Professor

The Industrial Revolution
854
The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales
854
The American West: History, Myth, and Legacy
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America after the Cold War: The First 30 Years
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The Art of Teaching: Best Practices from a Master Educator
854
The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales

Trailer

Welcome to Britain

01: Welcome to Britain

See why Great Britain offers so much as a travel destination. From thousand-year-old castles and cathedrals to contemporary art museums and scenic hikes, there is something for everyone. Begin your tour with a look at the scope of all Britain has to offer—and a few off-the-beaten-path ideas for getting to know England, Scotland, and Wales.

30 min
Prehistoric Britain

02: Prehistoric Britain

Great Britain’s history begins 5,000 years ago with a mysterious ancient people whose only vestiges are earthworks and stone circles like Stonehenge. Because of Stonehenge’s massive popularity, you may want to consider visiting other ancient ruins such as Avebury or Maiden Castle.

30 min
Roman Britain

03: Roman Britain

The next era in Britain’s history is the Roman conquest. In the first century B.C.E., the Romans invaded and spread their territory to the Anglo-Scottish border. There, Hadrian’s Wall marks the edge of the empire. Consider the Roman impact on Great Britain, from the city of Bath to the island’s long, straight roads.

29 min
Anglo-Saxon and Viking Britain

04: Anglo-Saxon and Viking Britain

After the Romans left Britain, a number of Germanic tribes stepped in to fill the power vacuum. With the help of the Venerable Bede and other contemporary sources, explore the Anglo-Saxon conquests. Then turn to the Viking attacks in the Middle Ages. Be sure to add Offa’s Dyke and the monastery of Lindisfarne to your travel itinerary.

31 min
Britain’s Medieval Castles

05: Britain’s Medieval Castles

Medieval castles and cathedrals are some of the most striking sites in all of Britain. Here, survey the development of castles built between 1066 and 1500. As you reflect on the evolution of the stone keep and outer wall, concentric design, and more, your tour takes you to such crowd-pleasers as Tower of London, Caerphilly in Wales, Dover Castle, and more.

29 min
Britain’s Medieval Cathedrals

06: Britain’s Medieval Cathedrals

Like the medieval castles, Britain’s cathedrals are astounding sites and an absolute must for any visitor to the island. Here, Professor Allitt explores the major milestones in cathedral architecture, from the Romanesque style of Durham Cathedral to the gothic style of Canterbury. He also takes you to the world-renowned Westminster Abbey.

31 min
Tudor Britain

07: Tudor Britain

From the end of the Wars of the Roses in 1485 to the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, Britain experienced severe political upheavals. Among other events, Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church to found the Church of England. Witness how the era’s architecture—including Hampton Court Palace, Hardwick Hall, and Sulgrave Manor—reflected the political turmoil.

30 min
Magna Carta and Civil War

08: Magna Carta and Civil War

Continue your study of the political shifts during Renaissance Britain, a period when kings were gradually forced to share power with Parliament. This tension broke bounds in the 17th century, when Charles I, defeated in a civil war, was beheaded at the Banqueting House in London. After Oliver Cromwell’s quasi-military dictatorship, the crown was restored to Charles II—but political tension persisted.

29 min
Enlightenment Britain

09: Enlightenment Britain

Some of the greatest sites in Britain today are products of the Enlightenment. Delve into some of Christopher Wren’s architectural achievements, including the Royal Observatory and the splendid St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then move beyond London to explore the great country estates of Kedleston and Calke Abbey.

30 min
Industrial Britain

10: Industrial Britain

Britain was home to the Industrial Revolution, driven by advancements in textiles, coal mining, and iron. Tour the country to see some of the monuments to industry, including Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire, Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, and the Big Pit in the South Wales village of Blaenafon. Visit and travel on the nation’s canals and railways from the same era.

29 min
Victorian Britain

11: Victorian Britain

Victorian Britain is a fascinating architectural period, which witnessed a revival of many older styles, culminating in the Neo-Gothic. Visit such masterpieces of the Gothic Revival as Manchester Town Hall, St. Pancras Station in London, and the Museum of Natural History. Then tour Kensington, where the Royal Albert Hall commemorates Victoria’s husband.

31 min
Twentieth-Century Britain

12: Twentieth-Century Britain

Conclude your survey of British architecture with an overview of the 20th century—a period when, according to Professor Allitt, some of the nation’s worst buildings were constructed. The early part of the century saw striking achievements, such as Arts and Crafts style country houses, but the post-World War II era was an age of Brutalist concrete, from which we are only just escaping today.

30 min
Edinburgh and Glasgow

13: Edinburgh and Glasgow

Scottish nationalism is one of the more intriguing phenomena in today’s headlines. Here, look beyond the news reports to investigate Scotland’s two great cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow. While giving you a tour of the cities, Professor Allitt also introduces you to some of Scotland’s most famous figures, including Walter Scott, Adam Smith, and David Hume.

30 min
Wild Scotland: Beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow

14: Wild Scotland: Beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow

Continue your tour of Scotland with a look beyond the cities. You’ll visit the Scottish Highlands, which is the least densely populated part of Europe, and explore the great history of this wild land. Your investigation takes you to the tragic and beautiful valley of Glencoe; the Spey Valley, a mecca for Scotch whiskey lovers; and the beautiful Scottish islands.

29 min
North Wales

15: North Wales

Shift your attention to the other country within the nation. Beginning with Offa’s Dyke and touring a ring of castles—including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Conwy Castle and Harlech—this tour of North Wales is an ideal introduction to the Welsh landscape, history, and heritage.

30 min
Cardiff and South Wales

16: Cardiff and South Wales

Head south to the capital city of Cardiff, where impressive civic buildings and the National Museum of Wales await you. The architecture of this city is magnificent, and offers much to see, from the polychromatic fantasy rooms of Cardiff Castle to the dome over the National Museum. Then turn to the South Wales towns of Tredegar and Swansea, home of Dylan Thomas.

29 min
The North of England

17: The North of England

England is a nation of regions, and the wild Pennine Hills in the north—Wuthering Heights country—is one of the must-see stops in your travels. Here, cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and York were industrial dynamos in the 19th century—and the National Railway Museum in York is one of Professor Allitt’s top-rated destinations for visitors.

30 min
The English Midlands

18: The English Midlands

You might be tempted to skip the English Midlands, but if you have the time in your itinerary, the region has much to offer. Home to Josiah Wedgwood’s pottery, quaint villages, and Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest, the Midlands have a fascinating heritage and offer an incomparable look into the British story.

30 min
East Anglia

19: East Anglia

Continue your survey of the great regions of England with a look East Anglia. A rural district that has inspired nature lovers and scientists for generations, East Anglia is also home to stately country houses such as Blickling and Houghton Hall and country towns like Norwich. This quiet region warrants at least a day’s visit.

29 min
England’s West Country

20: England’s West Country

Look now to the dramatic landscape of the West Country. The sleepy villages of Somerset and Dorset give way to the colorful towns of Devonshire and Cornwall, which has become a magnet for visual artists. The hilltop island church of St. Michael’s Mount and the ancient fortress of Tintagel should not be missed.

30 min
The Museums of London

21: The Museums of London

In this lecture, trade the calm of the country for the bustle of the city. Professor Allitt takes you to some of the world’s finest museums, including the British Museum, home to the controversial Elgin Marbles, once plundered from the Parthenon in Athens. You’ll also visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern.

29 min
London’s Streets and Parks

22: London’s Streets and Parks

Learn how to navigate London by tube and foot. Go inside the underground stations and learn why the tube is the best way to get around the city. Above ground, discover the urban retreats of Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, and the shopping hub that is Regent Street. With so many museums, parks, and attractions, London has never been a more interesting and fun city to visit.

30 min
Buckingham Palace and Parliament

23: Buckingham Palace and Parliament

Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament are two of the most popular tourist destinations, and they embody the government of Great Britain. See why these buildings are such a draw, learn about their architecture and renovations over the years, and reflect on the nature of Britain’s constitutional monarchy.

30 min
Oxford and Cambridge

24: Oxford and Cambridge

Step away from teeming London into the famous university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. Both house venerable academic institutions, each with its own distinct mood and atmosphere. Learn about some of the famous graduates from each university, and tour a sampling of their beautiful chapels, libraries, rivers, and gardens.

28 min
Literary Britain: Chaucer and Shakespeare

25: Literary Britain: Chaucer and Shakespeare

Great Britain is home to one of the world’s great literary traditions—and literature is a terrific way to frame your tour through the island. In this first of four literary lectures, reflect on the work of two of Britain’s most-prized poets, Chaucer and Shakespeare. Retrace the pilgrims’ path of The Canterbury Tales, visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre beside the River Thames, and more.

28 min
Literary Britain: The Romantics

26: Literary Britain: The Romantics

Continue your literary journey through Britain. From the great Scottish writers Walter Scott and Robert Burns to Wordsworth’s evocative descriptions of the Lake District, the Romantic writers of the 18th and 19th centuries created an enduring mood and style that still resonate today. Also tour the quiet villages where Jane Austen worked and the Jurassic coast at Lyme Regis.

29 min
Literary Britain: Poets and Novelists

27: Literary Britain: Poets and Novelists

Shelley, Keats, and Byron are three of the world’s finest poets, and their work is steeped in the history and landscape of Britain. Reflect on the land that inspired their finest works, and then turn to the world of the Brontë sisters in the North and Charles Dickens in the South, whose novels evoke not only the land but also the people of the 19th century.

29 min
Literary Britain: The 20th Century

28: Literary Britain: The 20th Century

Round out your study of British literature with a survey of the 20th-century masters. Check out the Baker Street of Sherlock Holmes, visit the rural Dorset villages of Thomas Hardy, and then pop over to Bloomsbury in London to see where Virginia Woolf and her comrades created a new kind of literature.

29 min
Artistic Britain: Painters and Sculptors

29: Artistic Britain: Painters and Sculptors

Britain has a distinguished artistic tradition along with a set of museums that house many of the world’s greatest visual masterpieces. Examine the lives and works of some of the great painters and sculptors, including William Hogarth, Joseph Turner, Thomas Gainsborough, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth.

28 min
Britain’s Estates and Gardens

30: Britain’s Estates and Gardens

Because of its mild and wet climate, Britain is well suited for flowers, and England has a proud history of gardening going back to the 1500s. In this visually rich lecture, tour some of the most stunning gardens in the nation today, including the Botanic Garden at Oxford University; Kew Gardens in London; and others, grand and obscure, throughout the provinces.

30 min
Legacy of the British Empire

31: Legacy of the British Empire

From the 17th through the 20th century, Britain’s empire spanned the globe, giving this small island an outsized role on the world’s stage. But while Britain was making an impact in India, New Zealand, Canada, and elsewhere, these nations were having an impact on Britain. Explore the ethnic and cultural diversity in Britain today.

31 min
Seafaring Britain

32: Seafaring Britain

Britain became a world power thanks to its domination of the seas in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the historic dockyard in Portsmouth, where you can see some of the ships that helped put Britain on the map. Then discover some of the less well-known but equally impressive ports and ships, plus some of Britain’s many coastal lighthouses.

31 min
Britain’s War Memorials

33: Britain’s War Memorials

As a world power, Britain fought many wars—which it has commemorated in many ways. Among other memorials, this lecture takes you to Blenheim Place (commemorating the Duke of Marlborough’s defeat of a great French and Bavarian army in 1704) to Trafalgar Square in London (with its memorial to Horatio Nelson), to Hyde Park Corner (the best place to see war memorials in England), and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

29 min
Hiking England, Scotland, and Wales

34: Hiking England, Scotland, and Wales

While you need a car, train, or boat to get a comprehensive tour of Britain, arguably the best way to explore the nation is by foot. England, Scotland, and Wales are home to some of the best hiking paths in Europe, from the Lake District that inspired the Romantic poets to the Southwest Coast Path to the demanding Pennine Way trail up the spine of northern England.

29 min
Britain’s Sporting Tradition

35: Britain’s Sporting Tradition

Soccer, cricket, tennis, golf: These sports were invented in Britain and play a major role in the nation’s culture today. Whether you are a rabid Man United nut or occasionally enjoy a match at Wimbledon, Britain has something for every sports fan—and the timing of sporting events may be something to consider when planning your great tour.

31 min
How to Think about Visiting Britain

36: How to Think about Visiting Britain

Tourism is a good test of self-knowledge: Why do you want to travel in the first place? While Britain is an ideal place to travel, it behooves you to spend a few minutes reflecting on why you want to go there so that you plan the most meaningful trip. Professor Allitt ends with a few practical tips to help you get the most from your travels.

40 min